Chapter 85: Ownership of the staff of Estelle 6

Shit, what's happening now? Why can't I contact her? It feels like my connection with her is being blocked or something.

A wave of frustration and concern washed over me, the sense of unease growing as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of problems.

Failed missions, the unknown status of the sage, and now Meralda's safety—all converging into a chaotic storm.

I had hoped for a peaceful day, one free from the intricacies of Scwi's schemes involving the staff's ownership I even let the story flow at is. Yet, here I was, burdened by uncertainties and a growing list of unresolved issues.

Should I go to Kaksan's forest and check what's up? Or perhaps I should prioritize finding out what happened to the sage? And what about the negotiations surrounding the staff? Considering Principal Victoria hasn't contacted me, everything should be fine, right?

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly made my way back to the dorms.

Boom!

A deafening explosion shattered the relative tranquility of the commercial district, echoing through the city with a thunderous resonance that demanded immediate attention.

My gaze snapped towards the source of the upheaval, and my eyes widened in shock as I witnessed the Heiron Bank engulfed in flames and debris.

The once-sturdy structure now crumbled, its destruction casting a chaotic spectacle against the cityscape.

The surrounding crowd, initially bustling with the usual activities of commerce, transformed into a panicked sea of people, their collective screams forming a dissonant symphony of fear and confusion.

'Ok now wtf is going on'

I immediately rushed to the scene to assess the situation firsthand. As I approached, the remnants of the exploded building came into view, a chaotic tableau of destruction.

A cadre of mages was fervently working to extinguish the lingering flames, employing water and ice spells to combat the persistent fire. Remarkably, despite the magnitude of the explosion, the damage appeared concentrated on the top floor of the building.

People streamed out of the entrance, desperate to escape the encroaching fires. Knights, identifiable by their uniforms, dove into the fray, risking their safety to aid the trapped inhabitants.

A quick glance revealed that many of these knights and mages were likely hired by the Heiron family, their coordinated efforts a testament to the organized response to the crisis.

Boom....!

Suddenly, another deafening explosion rocked the scene. This time, the source was unmistakable. Above the building loomed the colossal head of a snake, formed entirely of searing flames. Its crimson eyes radiated an overwhelming killing intent, reducing even the seasoned knights and mages to their knees, some involuntarily relieving themselves in terror.

The gigantic serpent's serpentine body coiled menacingly around the building; its fiery form seemingly intent on crushing the structure beneath its immense weight.

"Cecilia?"

The mention of Louise's spirit caught me off guard. Why was Louise's usually serene spirit, here, and why did she radiate such intense anger?

The oppressive heat surrounding her was alarming.

If the temperatures didn't abate soon, the very surroundings could melt away.

Even the seasoned knights, enveloped in their protective auras, struggled to breathe in the diminishing oxygen.

'Shit, is Louise inside?'

Without a second thought I went inside the building.

"Hey kid, don't go there!"

"What are you doing?"

"Come back here!"

As I entered the building, a harrowing scene unfolded before me. Civilians and workers, their faces contorted in pain, desperately attempted to escape the inferno that raged through the structure. Some were visibly burned, others grievously injured, their forms unrecognizable as they clung to life amid the chaos.

My gaze instinctively rose to the fourth floor, the epicenter of the explosion. It struck me that the main office, the likely source of the blast, was now a maelstrom of devastation. Ignoring the stream of terrified individuals making their way out, I hastened my pace, the urgency of the situation propelling me forward.

As I ascended the stairs, the aftermath of the explosion revealed itself in grim detail. Lifeless bodies lay scattered around, silent witnesses to the merciless havoc that had unfolded. A disconcerting mix of emotions surged within me.

'Man, what a waste'

'These guys could've become quite the delicious offerings, and they're all innocents too'

'Mom would've loved it'

It only took me a few moments to arrive at the office, and the sight that greeted me sent shockwaves through my senses. Louise, the seemingly innocent and kind mage, stood there with her wand aimed at Schwi, who lay on the floor, battered and seemingly on the brink of death.

With minimal effort, I sliced vertically, the energy effortlessly shattering her defensive barrier. She coughed up blood in response to the sudden mana disruption, but she persisted, attempting to conjure an offensive spell. Before she could succeed, Tulan seized her, hurling her aside with ruthless efficiency.

'Damn, this rock gorilla sure is ruthless'

Louise, still clinging to me, averted her eyes from the consequences of her actions.

Crouching beside Schwi, I checked for signs of life. Barely alive, she clung to a fragile thread of existence. Without hesitation, darkness enveloped Schwi, devouring her form until she disappeared entirely.

"Adrian, what happened?" Louise questioned; her voice laden with worry.

"Don't worry for now. Unsummon your spirits and cover your face. We need to run,"

....

"Ugh!... ouch," Meralda groaned, slowly regaining consciousness in an unfamiliar room. Her body throbbed with pain, even the simplest movement causing discomfort. As she surveyed her surroundings, the intricate elven aesthetics of the room caught her attention.

"Am I in the elf kingdom?" she wondered; her thoughts fragmented as she attempted to piece together the events leading to her current state. Memories of a brief but intense battle with two demons flashed through her mind, ending with her brutal defeat.

"That's right, I—" she began, only to be interrupted by the creaking of the door as it swung open.

"Oh, you're awake!" exclaimed a cute elven child who immediately motioned for her servants to fetch assistance. Despite the lingering pain, Meralda's attention was drawn to the child approaching her.

Struggling to speak due to the discomfort, Meralda was met with the child's cheerful curiosity.

"Pretty lady, you're not human, aren't you?"

"I can tell with just a glance, Hehe"

"Even though you're a spirit, the fact that you could materialize like this without your master around must mean you're really powerful," the child observed, genuine excitement coloring her words.

"Iselia."

"Mother!" Iselia exclaimed with unbridled joy, rushing to embrace her mother. "Look, the pretty lady is awake now."

"Now, now, quiet down. You don't want to bother the pretty lady, right?" Elaniel gently chided as she lifted the young child into her arms, a comforting smile gracing her features.

Approaching Meralda, the atmosphere shifted, at least from Meralda's perspective. Even though her eyes perceived an elf standing before her, her instincts screamed at her to flee.

The Elf Queen Elaniel's blood-red eyes met Meralda's emerald green ones, an unsettling exchange that sent shivers down Meralda's ethereal form. Elaniel, however, merely smiled in response.

'Why do I feel so threatened by her?'

"Iselia, would you be so kind as to leave me with the pretty lady for a moment?" Elaniel requested, setting Iselia down gently. Iselia resisted, attempting to stay in the room, but the servants swiftly intervened, securing the princess and escorting her out of the room. Iselia's departure was accompanied by an adorable pout, leaving Meralda alone with Elaniel in the room.

The silence that followed carried a weight of unspoken tension, and Meralda couldn't shake the ominous feeling that clung to the air.

"Now then, can you guess who I am?" asked Elaniel, her voice a deceptively gentle melody. Meralda, still disoriented and confused, shook her head slowly, uncertainty etching her features.

Suddenly, as if in response to the unspoken tension, dark tendril-like tentacles emerged from Elaniel's back.

They oozed a black miasma that snaked and coiled through the surroundings, a manifestation of the ominous power that now radiated from the Elf Queen.

"Now can you guess who I am?" Elaniel repeated, her smile retaining its gentleness despite the foreboding display of dark energy.

Meralda, overcome with a creeping fear that gripped her very essence, could only stare at Elaniel in silence.

"Hmm? Why are you afraid of me? Aren't you father's contracted spirit?" Elaniel queried, her tone filled with a casual curiosity that contradicted the eerie atmosphere surrounding her.

Meralda, caught in a web of confusion, couldn't comprehend Elaniel's words. "Father? Contracted?" The very notions seemed alien to her understanding.

As far as Meralda knew, Kaksan was an enigmatic entity, an abomination that materialized seemingly out of nowhere.

The concept of a father, especially one related to Kaksan, was unfathomable. In her essence, Kaksan was a monstrous being, a dark force that defied conventional origins.

And as for contracts, Meralda recoiled at the thought.

No way in hell would she ever willingly sign a contract with any being connected to the monstrous force that was Kaksan.

The idea of willingly binding herself to such a malevolent entity went against the very essence of her being.

"Is father coming?" asked Elaniel in excitement